Surface ornamentation



April 30, 1929. SIMON 1,711,330

SURFACE ORNAMENTATION Filed Feb. 18, 1927 PROTECTIVE Covsmue CencmmsVamhsn 5moen DESIGN SuRmca INVEN TOR.

LEO L. SMoN "ii Mafia).

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES LEO L. smon, or NEW YORK, n. Y.

' SURFACE ORNAIENTATION.

Application filed February 18, 1927. Serial No. 169,421.

This invention relates broadly to surface ornamentation and morespecifically to those processes for surface ornamentation which utilizecrackle enamel and its peculiar properties for giving ornamentalsurfaces on all types of materials and on a great variety of articles.

Crackle enamel is available commercially under this name; Thedistinguishing feature of the enamel is that when it dries, fissures areformed in the enamel, forming grains of varyingsizes and shapes.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to improve suchornamentation processes and to obtain novel ornamental effects and novelornamental surfaces by imparting to thelayer of crackle enamel variousdesign effects preferably in one or more colors different from the colorof the crackle enamel.

These objects are accomplished by printing, dyeing, painting, orapplying in any other known manner to the surface of the article to beornamented a design in one or more colors and then applying a layer ofcrackle enamel thereover. When the enamel dries, the fissures formedtherein will expose the colored design disposed below the crackle enameland will together with the grains of crackle enamel, which is preferablyof a color different from the colors used in the des gn, produce adesigned ornamented surface of a novel effect. This process givesparticularly pleasing and desirable effects when the design usedcomprises bodies of color whichare large as compared with the size ofthe grains of the enamel. In such cases the design becomes thepredominant element of the surface, the crackle enamel cooperating withthe design to give the entire surface a novel and highly pleasingefi'ect.

One embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the drawingswhich accom pany this application.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a surface having a multicolored design thereon.

Figure 2 shows the same surface having the crackle enamel thereon andgiving the ornamental effect obtained by the invention disclosed herein.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of Figure 2.

When desired the mottled or variegated appearance in color and design ofthe surface is obtained by applying to the surface a basic coating of ametal paint, enamel or lacquer such as a bronze paint, enamel or lacqueror any other type of coating having a metal for its color givingconstituent. With the metal color or paint serving as the ground workforthe color scheme, any number of other colors may be applied to thisground work in spots or daubs by means of a brush, a spray or any otherappliances using as many colors as the color design may require. Thesecolors are applied in such a manner that they do not constitute acontinuous coating over the ground work of metal color and are sodistributed as to give a harmonious blending and a highly ornamentalappearance, together with the ground work of the metal color.

The final effect is obtained by applying a coating of crackling varnish,lacquer or enamel. The crackling varnish, laquer or enamel is of .such anature that when it dries, it cracks, with the result that it representsa number of spots of one color applied over the colors of the layersimmediately below it. The manner of cracking of this crackling varnishor enamel may be controlled, if desired by the thickness of the coating,this type of lacquer or enamel being such that when it is applied inthick coatings, it cracks into large crystals giving wide spaces betweenthe crystals. If, however, it is applied to a thin coating. it cracksinto small crystals.

I have found that the best results are obtained when a coating ofuncolored and transparent varnish, lacquer or enamel is applied to theground work and the spots or daubs of other colors before the cracklingenamel is applied to the surface. This uncolored varnish, lacquer orenamel that is interposed between the crackling coating serves as abinder for all of the layers, and thereby prevents the possibility ofany crackling of the layers.

I shall now describe my process step by step.

The surface which is to be ornamented is first coated with Varnish. Thisvarnish is preferably colorless and serves as a primary coating forbinding the subsequent layers of color, paint and enamel to the surfacewhich is to be coated. While I have found that this primary layer ofvarnish is desirable in coating all types of surfaces for the purpose ofincreasing the adherence of the various coatings to the surface, it isnevertheless possible to eliminate this primary coating of varnish inthe treatment of such surfaces,

whose physical characteristics are such that any other metal paint, isnow applied to the I varnish coating to constitute a continuous surfacewhich serves as the background for the color design. On top of the metalcolor 1 next apply one or more colors, preferably in spots or daubs, bya brush, spraying device or by any other appliance such as a stipplebrush, in such a manner that this color does not constitute a continuouslayer over the background of metal color but it is disposed thereon insuch a manner that the back ground is clearly visible in spots, andtogether with the spots and daubs of one or more colors constitutes aharmonious blending, and gives a highly ornamental effect.

The ornamental effect and the color design accomplished by my processare the resultant effects of the layer of bronze background, the spotsor daubs, consisting of one or more colors disposed on the background,combined withan application of a crackling enamel, lacquer or varnish.The peculiar and highly ornamental efi'ect resulting from thiscombination is due to the irregularity of the fissures and crystalsformed by the crackling enamel which are superimposed upon thecomparatively regular spots of color which in turn are superimposed uponthe background. I have found that this effect is highly enhanced and thedesired ends maybe obtained with great facility by interposing a layerof transparent and uncolored varnish between the layer of cracklingenamel and the other layers of paint.

After the application of the spots or daubs of one or more colorsdescribed above, I therefore next apply a thin coating of transparentand uncolored varnish over the entire surface. Over this surface I applya coating of crackling varnish, lacquer or enamel in any thicknessdesired or perhaps varyin its thickness on different portions of the surace, obtaining different ornamental effects on different portions of thesurface. The intermediate layer of transparent and uncolored varnishserves as a binding agent between the ground work of metal color and thespots or daubs of color or paint disposed below the layer of varnish andthe layer of crackling enamel disposed over it, thereby converting thelayers above described into a unitary layer, and thereby preventing anypossible cracking or peeling of the coating that reprotective coating oftransparent and colorless varnish, lacquer or enamel'is preferablyapplied to the entire surface which gives the surface a bright andlustrous appearance, and protects it against scratching, wear andabrasion.

The ornamental effects that may be obta1ned by the process describedherein may be varied considerably, if desired; the ornamental effect maybe such as to show a number of different colored spots disposed on auni-colored background, the entire surface including the uni-coloredbackground as well as the different colored spots being covered by smallcrystals of crackling enamel. This effect, however, may be varied in anymanner desired by varying the manner of distribution of thelnulti-colored coating which is appliedto the uni-colored background andby varying the manner of apphcation of the crackling enamel. I

As was pointed out above, the ornamental effect obtained by the processdescribed above is due to the resultant effects of the uni coloredbackground, the multi-colored coating applied thcrcover and the layer ofcrack ling enamel applied over the latter, and the ornamental effectsmay be varied as desired by varying each or all of these layers or byvarying the manner of application. In addition to these three layers inthe process as I prefer to practice it, I also a ply three layers oftransparent and uncolored varnish, one being applied to the surface tobe ornamented underneath the uni-colored background, an other layer oftransparent and uncolored varnish being interposed between themulticolored layer and'the layer of crackling enamel and a third coatingof varnish being applied to the surface after the ornamentation isfinished, for the purpose of giving the surface a bright, lustrousappearance, protecting it against wear and abrasion.

The function of each of these layers of varnish has been set forthhereinabove and it,

is obvious that the process disclosed herein may be varied and that thesame or similar ornamental effects may be obtained by eliminating anyone of the layers of varnish.

It is obvious that the terms paint, enamel, lacquer and varnish as usedin the body of the specification and in the-claims are interchangeablefor the reason that any one of these types of coatings may be used forany other in the practice of my invention.

The process described herein has particular application in themanufacture of a novel patent leather. The process as described hereinis interposed preferably between two adjacent layers of j apannersvarnish or japan color mixed with varnish in the standard practice ofproducing patent leather; In the application of the process to themanufacture of patent leather the lowest anduppe'rmost layers ofuncolored and transparent varn ish described hereinabove may beeliminated 4 plain color.

for the reason that the upper and lower layers of japanners varnishserve the functions of the corresponding coatings of varnish describedhereinabove. Patent leather made in accordance with this process may bemade to have any ornamental effect desired and if desired, thecolordesign may be so chosen as to cause the finished product tosimulate in appearance the highly decorative and expensive textileswhich have variously colored woven patterns and are used for ,the uppersof ladies shoes.

My process may be used in combination with any one of the processes formaking patent leather, it not being limited to those processcs which usejapanners varnish. It may, for example, be utilized in the processeswhich use liquids containing nitrocellulose in the treatment of leatherfor the manufacture of patent leather. I

The following is an outline of a modified process. 7

The surface to he treated is first dyed or otherwise colored uniformlywith a basic This step may be omitted depending upon the nature of thesurface and the nature of the material. For the second step of theprocess a design in one or more colors is applied to the dyed or coloredsurfaces This design may printing, lithography, or it may be applied bythe aid of a brush or a spray.

The final ornamental effect is obtained by applying a coating of crackleenamel, varnish or lacquer of a color which harmonizes or contrasts withthe colors of the design or basic color. The crackle varnish, lacquer orenamel is of such a nature that when it dries, it cracks with the resultthat it presents a number of grains of one color disposed over thecolors of the layers immediately below it. The manner and sizes in whichthe fissures are formed in this layer of crackle enamel may becontrolled if desired by the thickness of the coating or otherwise bythe manner of its application. When the layer of crackle enamel is thin,it forms small crystals separated by small fissures. A thick coating ofcrackle enamel forms large crystals separated by larger fissures.

I-have found that the best results are obtained when a coating ofuncolored and transparent varnish or the like is interposed between thecrackle enamel and the design. This serves as abinder and preventspeeling. This step may be omitted if desired.

After the crackle enamel has dried, a thin protective coating ofcolorless and transparent varnish or the like is preferably applied tothe entire surface, which gives the surface a bright and lustrousappearance, and protects it against abrasion.

The process described herein may be ap plied to any surface desired. Thetypes of surfaces-to which I have applied my process be'applied bydyeing.

successfully are numerous and include such surfaces as wood, metal,paper, pottery, glass, leather, textiles, hard rubber, plaster of Paris,to surfaces of articles made of rattan or straw as well as to othersurfaces. The present invention has particular application inresurfacing ornamented surfaces of articles which for some reason havebecome unmarketable on account of the type of ornamented surface thatthe article bears. By the aid of my invention ther'esurfacing is donewithout removing or obliterating the design which already appears on thearticle and it is done in such a manner that while the ornamentalsurface obtained is entirely different from the surface which originallywas on the article, the original design and its color scheme areutilized and enter into the final composition of'the surface. Oneillustration of this use of the present invention is on boxes having theconventional design of red and green leaves, petals and berries commonlyused by merchants during the Christmas season. Such boxes becomepractically valueless on the lapse of the Christmas season. By thepresent invention a coating of crackle enamel is appliedto the surface,the. enamel being of a color that harmonizes or contrasts with the redand green of the previous design. A new ornamental surface highlypleasing to the eye is obtained in which the original design is modifiedby having the grains of enamel disposed there over.

\Vhen the present invention is applied to shoe leather a product may beobtained which simulates in appearance the highly expensive textileswhich have variously colored woven patterns and are used in ladiesshoes.

Referring to the drawings, 10 shows a surface which is desired to beornamented. As the first step of the process, a multi-colored design 11is applied to the surfaces. In the form shown in the drawings, themulti-colored design 11 comprises various figures and forms of twodifferent colors as indicated by the various numerals 12 and 13. 15shows the layer of crackle enamel disposed over the ornamented surface11. This layer 15 is shown in the form of irregularly shaped spotsseparated by channels and fissures which expose the design 11. The colorof the crackle enamel 15 is chosen to harmonize or contrast with thecolor of the design 11 and the size of the grains or crystals of theenamel formed is controlled so as to give the desired ornamental effect.

cardboard,

Inorder to cause great adhesion between the layer of crackle enamel 15and the multicolored design of the surface 11, a layer of uncoloredtransparent varnish 14 is first applied to the design 11 before thecrackle enamel is applied thereto. This serves as a binder between thetwo layers. After the crackle enamel is dried, a layer of uncolored andtransparent varnish or other coating 16 is applied thereover.

It will be seen from the above that by the proper control of the size ofthe grains or crystals of crackle enamel and by its proper distributionover the design 11, an entirely novel and highly pleasing ornamentaleffect is obtained by the cooperation of the crackle enamel crystalswith the multi-colored design. A mottled variegated appearance is givento the finished surface without obliterating the design below, and ifdesired, still maintaining a design as a-predominant ele ment in thecomposition.

The process disclosed herein may be applied to any surface desiredeither with or without variations and modifications of the processdisclosed hereinbefore. The types of surfaces to which I havesuccessfully ap-..

plied my process are numerous and include such surfaces as wood, metal,paper, pottery, glass, leather, textiles, hard rubber, plaster of Parisand to surfaces ofarticles made of rattan or straw, as well as to othersuri type is applied to any surface and dried, the

coating shrinks, loses its continuity so that cracks and fissures aredeveloped throughout the coating, the cracks and fissures being highlyirregular and presenting peculiar pattern which permits themulti-colored design disposed underneath the crackled layer to cooperatewith the layer of crackle enamel or varnish and presenting a newornamental effect. It is understood, however, that any other type ofenamel or varnish which upon drying forms cracks and fissures may beused in place of the type described above.

What I claim is:

1. The process of resurfacin' ornamented .surfaces having a multicoloredesign thereon comprising the steps of applying a coating of transparentand uncolored varnish to the surface and over said design, applying alayer of crackle enamel, permitting said layer to dry whereby fissuresare formed in the coating thereby exposing the design and causing thelayer and design to form a new ornamental surface, and applying aprotective coating of transparent and uncolored varnish.

2. The process of resurfacing ornamented surfaces having a multicoloreddesign thereon comprising the steps of applying a coating of transparentvarnish to the surface and over the'design, applying a layer of crackleenamel, and permitting said layer to'dry whereby fissures are formed inthe coating thereby exposing the design and causing the size of thecrystals and fissures of the crackle enamel being so related to themulti-colored design that the design and the crackle enamel cooperate toform an ornamental surface in which only portions of the design enter.

5. An article of manufacture having an ornamented surface comprising auni-colored coating serving as a background, a multi-colored layerdisposed thereover and a layer of crackle enamel disposed over the saidmulticolored layer.

4 6. An article of manufacture having an ornamented surface comprising auni-colored coating, a multi-colored coating thereover, a layer ofcrackle enamel, and a layer of varnish interposed between themulti-colored coating and the layer of crackle enamel.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a patent leather comprising ordinarypatent leather having a multi-colored layer of coloring material aflixedon the surface of the coating, a layer of crackle varnish and atransparent protective layer covering the crackle varnish.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a patent leather comprising ordinarypatent leather having a la er of crackle varnish aflixed on the surface0 the coating and a transparent protective layercovering the cracklevarnish.

9. As a new article of manufacture, a patent leather comprising ordinarypatent leather having a uni-colored layer of bronze or metal coloringcompound afiixed on the surface thereof, a multi-colored layer of paint,a layer of crackle varnish, and a transparent protective layer coveringthe said layer of crackle varnish.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

LEO L. SIMON.

